how to start a car dealership

So, you want to start a car dealership—brave, caffeinated, and possibly allergic to weekends.

Start with the boring-but-crucial bits: set up an ABN, choose a business structure, open a trust account if required, and secure a dealer licence from your state regulator (premises, signage, police checks and fees are usually part of the fun).

Line up capital and floorplan finance for stock, choose compliant premises with display space and proper records, and sort insurance—public liability, stock, test-drive cover, and trade plate management.

Know your legal homework: Australian Consumer Law obligations, clear title checks via the PPSR, statutory warranties/cooling-off where applicable, accurate advertising, and meticulous record-keeping.

Source vehicles smartly (auctions, trade-ins, wholesalers), set reconditioning standards, and build an online presence—list on places like Tradingpost, keep photos honest, and price to the market.

Then lock in processes for test drives, contracts, delivery, and aftersales, because reputation travels faster than a demo on fresh tyres; your margins depend on it.